Researchers have demonstrated for the first time a way to make a robot composed of many loosely coupled components, or ‘particles.’ Unlike swarm or modular robots, each component is simple, and has no individual address or identity. In their system, which the researchers call a ‘particle robot,’ each particle can perform only uniform volumetric oscillations (slightly expanding and contracting), but cannot move independently.Robotic 'gray goo'

A team of scientists spent six months co-designing robots with informal caregivers for people with dementia, such as family members. They found that caregivers wanted the robots to fulfill two major roles: support positive moments shared by caregivers and their loved ones; and lessen caregivers’ emotional stress by taking on difficult tasks, such as answering repeated questions and restricting unhealthy food.The robots that dementia caregivers want: Robots for joy, robots for sorrow

Inspired by jellyfish, researchers have created an electronic skin that is transparent, stretchable, touch-sensitive, and repairs itself in both wet and dry conditions. The novel material has wide-ranging uses, from water-resistant touch screens to soft robots aimed at mimicking biological tissues.Water-resistant electronic skin with self-healing abilities created